MANCHESTER UNITED YAZIDI KUJICHIMBIA BIG 4 WAITANDIKA ASTON IVILA 3

Wayne Rooney (centre) scored a stunning half-volley as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday

Rooney put United 2-0 ahead on 79 minutes as he crashed home the Red Devils' second with his right-footed strike

United's No 10 celebrates his stunning effort at Old Trafford - his sixth goal in eight games for the club since being moved back up front

Rooney (centre right) is mobbed by his team-mates after his wonderful goal gives them a 2-0 lead against lowly Villa

Villa manager Tim Sherwood (right) shakes the hand of his United counterpart Louis van Gaal before Saturday's encounter

United felt they should have had a penalty in the opening minutes of the match at Old Trafford when Rooney (left) fell in the box

The United skipper appeals to the officials after being denied a penalty during the opening exchanges at Old Trafford

United midfielder Marouane Fellaini (right) challenges for the ball against Villa defender Jones Okore during the first half

Rooney attempts an overhead kick midway through the first half as both sides try to break the deadlock at Old Trafford

United midfielder Ander Herrera (left) broke the deadlock just before half-time with a left-footed strike on Saturday afternoon

The 25-year-old (centre left) watches on as his shot heads towards the bottom of the Villa net

Herrera wheels away in celebration after scoring his fourth Premier League goal of the season since joining from Athletic Bilbao

United winger Ashley Young celebrates Herrera's strike - after providing the assist for the Spaniard's goal

Herrera shows his emotion at scoring United's opener as he is congratulated by his Old Trafford team-mates

Christian Benteke wheels away in celebration after pulling one back for Villa just moments after Rooney's goal

Benteke (second left) watches on as his tame shot proves too much for David de Gea (centre) in the United goal

The Belgium international punches the air in delight as the visitors made it a nervy ending for Van Gaal's men

Meanwhile De Gea is left rather red-faced at his error allowed the visitors back into the match late on at Old Trafford

However any hope of a Villa comeback were quashed when Herrera (right) added a third in injury time

Herrera (third right) watches on as his curled right-footed effort heads towards the bottom corner of the Villa net

United substitute Angel di Maria (left) congratulates Herrera after his injury time goal restores United's two-goal advantage

Aston Villa players look crestfallen after conceding Herrera's goal in injury time during their match at Old Trafford

-BBCSPORTS